University Residential Colleges

The integration of BIM, 3D modeling, and visualization becomes a central design technology strategy rather than a supporting afterthought for this large residential campus project.

The process began in Rhino. Early form exploration, site and massing studies, and complex envelope geometries were generated in a flexible 3D modeling environment. Rhino allowed rapid iteration and conceptual refinement—shapes and courtyards could be manipulated, adjusted and evaluated in context without being locked into a rigid BIM structure too soon.

Once the overall building organization and massing were defined, the model was brought into Revit. In this phase, the team converted the Rhino geometry into Revit families and builds. Revit became the central data environment—the model of record. Here, coordination across disciplines, scheduling and specification took place, linking design and delivery. Because the external model from Rhino was referenced rather than redrawn, continuity of form was preserved even as the project moved into deeper technical phases.

As the design matured, refinements were needed in areas such as façade articulation, curtain wall systems, and custom detailing. At this point, parts of the model were exported from Revit back into Rhino for cleanup and rationalization. Rhino’s flexibility allowed the team to refine geometry that might be unwieldy in the BIM environment.

The final step in the visual workflow took place in 3ds Max. High-end renderings were produced for marketing, review and client communication. The geometry coming out of Rhino/Revit was imported into 3ds Max, where lighting, materials, entourage and landscape context were enhanced. The renderings were calibrated so tightly that once the building was completed, on-site photography matched the exact angles, lighting conditions and frames used in the visualization. The result: a seamless hand-off from digital model to real world.

Across every phase, the importance of a robust workflow became evident. Moving modeling data around—between Rhino, Revit and 3ds Max—was not optional but essential for a project of this scale. It kept the team aligned, reduced duplication, and ensured that the design intent carried through each stage of work. Visualization tools became instruments of persuasion and alignment.

Work completed at Deborah Berke Partners (2017).
Visualization, Energy Simulation, BIM modeling